Mackenzie helped secure release of follower who forced his children out of school, court told

In a turn of events, a key witness in the ongoing manslaughter case against controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie has testified that the preacher paid a bond to secure the release of a parishioner who was charged with taking his children out of school.

The incident was revealed during a court hearing on Tuesday as part of the larger investigation into the deadly Shakahola cult in Malindi, Kilifi County.

Jimmy Mganga, who was in court to give evidence, shared the troubling story of how his father stopped sending two of his children to school under the influence of Mackenzie's teachings.

Mganga said his father removed his siblings, who were in class three and form four, from their education as part of a broader pattern of ignoring societal norms.

"When I realised my two siblings weren't going to school, I reported the matter to the Ministry of Education, and my father was arrested and charged in Malindi Court,” Mganga told the court.

“He was later released on a Sh10,000 bond. I was told that Mackenzie paid the bond,” he added.

Mganga went on to explain the difficulty he faced in trying to protect his siblings' education.

"I could not follow up on my sibling’s education because my family turned against me, saying I want to imprison my father. He told me to never set foot near him,” he added, revealing the emotional toll the situation had on him.

The court learned that Mganga’s father had traveled to Shakahola, purportedly to buy a piece of land, but returned with his three daughters, leaving behind Mganga and his two brothers.

Mganga’s testimony sheds light on the complex and disturbing relationship between Mackenzie and his followers.

He explained that Mackenzie had presided over his parents' wedding in 2014 and had been a close friend of the family, often visiting their home.

Though Mganga had briefly attended Mackenzie's church in 2009, he left due to disagreements with its teachings.

Mackenzie is currently in police custody, facing multiple charges, including terrorism, murder, manslaughter, and child cruelty.

He, along with 94 other defendants, denies the charges. More than 440 bodies have been exhumed from the Shakahola forest, where most victims are believed to have starved to death.

However, autopsies revealed some victims had suffered additional trauma, including strangulation and suffocation. The discovery has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice.

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